Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted today in favor of legislation closing the loophole in the Patriot Act that grants the Attorney General the authority to make indefinite appointments of U.S. Attorneys without Senate confirmation (H.R. 580). This bipartisan bill passed the House by a vote of 329 to 78. Similar bipartisan legislation passed the Senate last week by a vote of 94 to 2. Larsen issued the following statement today:

“The Senate confirmation process is a key part of our system of checks and balances. This bill restores Congressional oversight to the hiring of U.S. Attorneys.  The President should be accountable for the Attorneys he chooses to appoint.”

“We need the truth about the U.S. Attorney firings. Testimony provided under oath, with transcripts, is the way to get it. The White House’s reluctance to provide sworn testimony of top aides, recorded for the public record, risks turning this grave matter into a he-said, she-said parlor game.”

“It is clear that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has not been forthcoming about his role in the U.S. Attorney firings.  For the sake of our justice system, he should resign.”

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